s 
e 
Nyssanthes.] XCVII. AMARANTACEÆ; 247 
and rigid, very spreading or reflexed after flowering, in sessile head- 
like es or clusters, the bracts and bracteoles spinescent and very 
spreading. 
rescence, spreading bracts and constantly 4-merous flowe 
EE 5. 5... LT 
BEEN o sen Spal A ux ees am NE 
The genus is limited to Australia, differing slightly from Achyranthes in its inflo- 
rs. 
l. N. erecta, R. Br. Prod. 418. Erect and probably 2 ft. high or 
more, the upper flowering portion with spreading opposite dichotomous 
broad, trun $ 
globular, about 3 line long, membranous — the depressed summit 
Which is harder.— Moq. in DC. Prod. xiii. ii. 309. 
Queensland, Bowman; Dawson and Brisbane rivers, F. Mueller. 
N.S. Wales. Nepean river, R. Brown; New England, C. Stuart. : 
: always more 
thickened at the base and reflexed than in N. diffusa. The spinescent ere „and 
of the perianth-segments are very variable in length and relative pro e dif 
2. N. diffusa, R. Br. Prod. 418. An annual or biennial no ones 
t0 N. erecta, but usually more branched from the base, more $ ender, 
ind the parts smaller, Stems attaining 1 to 3 ft. the greater portion 
rousistine of a broad leafy panicle, the branches dichotomous or the 
vate o 
rar ong, 
ely much above 1 in s i lusters of flowers 
.and mostly small. Spikes orc 
Very short, in the axils and in the forks of the panicle, the flowers 
m that Species ; sometimes all three bracts are subulate à 
3 to 4 lines long, more frequently the b 
es lanceolate and tapering into a shorter spine. 
S 
: only, with short broad truncate scales or staminodia between them.— 
